Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga (she/her)
@BekShackelford
Followers
263
Following
1K
Media
16
Statuses
109
Health equity reporter for the Kansas News Service and KCUR. Got a secret to tell? I’m listening: [email protected]
Kansas City, MO
Joined September 2021
Kansas lawmakers want to loosen vaccine requirements amid a measles outbreak in the state | By @BekShackelford & @rosebconlon @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
At least 23 Kansans have tested positive for measles. Health officials urge full vaccination against the disease.
1
4
2
Measles cases in Kansas have more than doubled, according to new state health data. The case count is now at 23 (21 are from this month alone). The outbreak is in a handful of south west and south central Kansas counties. https://t.co/3BrBkP6OLO
kcur.org
At least 23 Kansans have tested positive for measles. Health officials urge full vaccination against the disease.
0
0
0
Research shows if you’re a Black Kansan, you’re more likely than others to die of major diseases | By @BekShackelford @kcur
kcur.org
Black Kansans die at higher rates of seven of nine leading causes of death than all other Kansans. Advocates say now is an important time to focus on these disparities.
0
1
1
After tuberculosis outbreak, Wyandotte County, Kansas parts ways with health director | By @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
Emails show behind-the-scenes conflict as the Kansas City-area tuberculosis outbreak grew to one of the largest in U.S. history. The county's health director is no longer with the agency as of...
0
1
2
Kansas’ tuberculosis outbreak is now the largest in the U.S. since the 1950s | By @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
The outbreak started last January. Kansas health officials say numbers are trending downward, but they still expect to find more cases.
0
2
2
Direct primary care practice clinics don’t accept insurance. Instead, members pay a monthly fee that tops out at $250 per family. As @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice reports, subscription-based clinics are growing in Kansas and cutting health care costs.
kcur.org
A Wichita family physician is trying to make primary care more affordable and accessible through a subscription-based model called direct primary care.
0
1
2
Greetings from the Great Midwest! I begin my weekly🧵of notable work from @NPRMidwestNews colleagues here 1/7 Options for a natural birth dwindle in Kansas and Missouri after a major birthing center closes | @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kmuw.org
Birthing centers, which offer natural, low-intervention births to low-risk moms, are becoming more and more popular. But regardless of demand, they’re struggling to stay open.
1
5
7
A woman is suing The University of Kansas Health System for denying an emergency abortion | @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
The lawsuit alleges the hospital violated state nondiscrimination laws and a federal law that requires hospitals to treat or stabilize patients in a health crisis before transferring or dismissing...
0
1
1
Do yourself a favor and read this gorgeous story by @BekShackelford. When you hear those stories about how Black women have a higher risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes, think of Krystal
kcur.org
Krystal Anderson died in March after giving birth to a stillborn daughter. For Black women like her, the risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes is greater than for white women.
1
7
11
The death of beloved former Chiefs cheerleader Krystal Anderson puts a spotlight on maternal mortality | By @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice This story mentions the Momnibus Act, a collection of measures aimed at reducing maternal mortality. 1/3 https://t.co/C1nnRVBGzS
kcur.org
Krystal Anderson died in March after giving birth to a stillborn daughter. For Black women like her, the risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes is greater than for white women.
1
4
8
I'm so proud to work with the folks at @KMUW. This is a very important NPR station that understands Wichita and central KS and covers/serves its communities. They are in the red right now. All support helps.
Some news out of @KMUW — This station means a whole lot to me and provides free news to the whole community. Any support is helpful. Just click the donate button on https://t.co/5U1Ist4kjC!
0
5
13
Kansas Medicaid will soon cover doulas. Research shows they reduce birth complications | @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
Doulas help new and expecting families navigate pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Studies show their intervention improves maternal health outcomes.
0
2
2
Need a nature fix? We've got you covered. Venture into woods & prairies with us in Up From Dust, a new nature and environment NPR Network podcast. Ep. 1: "When good plants turn bad." Meet very cool people doing very cool things: https://t.co/2PwhumsJip
#nature #environment
0
6
10
#UpFromDust alert! What is *quality* green space? Read about KCK teens taking the matter into their own hands & planting a greener city -- because lawns and pavement just don't cut it. #kansas
https://t.co/O9ZbVwGJhV
@northeastkck
0
5
2
We are so excited to announce a new environmental podcast. Meet ranchers, firefighters, farmers, homeowners, etc., who see how the Midwest & Great Plains are changing & respond by rolling up their sleeves for a more sustainable future. Here's the trailer: https://t.co/xeffVv4xKM
0
15
42
“It was kind of like an onion where you just peel back layers, you're like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ ... Why don't more people know about this?” 4 Kansas pharmacists are taking on the prescription drug industry, and their company is growing @BekShackelford
kmuw.org
The four pharmacy owners formed their own pharmacy benefit manager to take on the huge companies that influence how much people pay for medications.
0
15
36
My most recent work:
4 Kansas pharmacists are taking on the prescription drug industry, and their company is growing | By @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
1
2
12
4 Kansas pharmacists are taking on the prescription drug industry, and their company is growing by @BekShackelford
https://t.co/LYk3kAFzA3
kcur.org
The four pharmacy owners formed their own pharmacy benefit manager to take on the huge companies that influence how much people pay for medications.
0
1
2
Feeling sick? In parts of Kansas, you'll have a hard time finding a pharmacy | @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
As pharmacies close nationwide, some patients lose access to basic pharmaceutical care. These closures are hitting independently owned pharmacies in places like rural Kansas especially hard.
0
2
3
Kansas Medicaid doesn’t cover birth doulas, but one contractor is footing the bill to help moms | @BekShackelford @ksnewsservice
kcur.org
In Kansas, the number of severe complications during labor and delivery has increased. For moms of color or women enrolled in Medicaid, the numbers are even higher. One of the state’s Medicaid...
0
1
1